| NAIA Division II football national championship | |
|---|---|
 NAIA Logo | |
| In operation | 1970–1996 |
| Preceded by | NAIA Championship |
| Succeeded by | NAIA Championship |
| Number of playoff teams | 8 |
| Most playoff championships | Westminster (PA) (6) |
| Website | NAIA Football |
The NAIA Division II football national championship was a post-season playoff system featuring the best NAIA Division II college football teams in the United States. It was played annually between 1970 and 1996 when NAIA football play was divided into two divisions based on school enrollment size; the NAIA Division I football national championship was played separately. It was typically held at the home field of the higher-seeded team. The championship was discontinued in 1997 after the two divisions were consolidated once again. The singular NAIA football national championship has been held every year since.
Westminster (PA) was the most successful team at the Division II level, winning the national title six times.
Results
Notes
1 Game ended in a tie and teams are co-champions
2 Pacific Lutheran and the Wisconsin–Stevens Point played to a 16–16 tie in the championship game. Wisconsin–Stevens Point forfeited its entire 1987 schedule because of the use of two ineligible players. Pacific Lutheran is considered a co-champion with the other position vacated.
Championships by school
- Only includes titles won at the Division II level.
- Programs that no longer compete in NAIA are indicated in italics with a pink background.
| Team | Championships | Winning years |
|---|---|---|
| Westminster (PA) | 6 | 1970, 1976, 1977, 1988, 1989, 1994 |
| Findlay (OH) | 3 | 1979, 1992, 1995 |
| Pacific Lutheran | 3 | 1980, 1987, 1993 |
| Linfield | 3 | 1982, 1984, 1986 |
| Northwestern (IA) | 2 | 1973, 1983 |
| Concordia–Moorhead | 2 | 1978, 1981 |
| Texas Lutheran | 2 | 1974, 1975 |
| Sioux Falls | 1 | 1996 |
| Central Washington | 1 | 1995 |
| Georgetown (KY) | 1 | 1991 |
| Peru State | 1 | 1990 |
| Wisconsin–La Crosse | 1 | 1985 |
| Austin | 1 | 1981 |
| Missouri Southern | 1 | 1972 |
| Cal Lutheran | 1 | 1971 |
See also
- NAIA Football Player of the Year Award
- NAIA football national championship
- NCAA Division I football championship
- NCAA Division I FCS consensus mid-major football national championship
- NCAA Division II national football championship
- NCAA Division III national football championship
- NJCAA national football championship
References
- "NAIA Football Championship History". National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics. Retrieved 2008-04-07.
- Turcotte, Steve (December 12, 1982). "Linfield wins NAIA title in familiar fashion, 33-15". Eugene Register-Guard. (Oregon). p. 3B.
- "Mueller leads Linfield to title". Lewiston Morning Tribune. Associated Press. December 12, 1982. p. 6B.
- "Surprise: Lutes are champs after all". The News Tribune. Tacoma, Washington. May 10, 1988. p. C1. Retrieved November 28, 2021 – via Newspapers.com
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